Astable Multivibrator Using 555 Timer | DIY | Step by Step

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Hi Today Instructable is very simple and easy to build ASTABLE Multivibrator CircuitA Complete Step By Step Video Tutorial is also given in the video below.

Astable Multivibrator mode of 555 timer IC is also called Free running or self-triggering mode. Unlike Monostable Multivibrator mode it doesn’t have any stable state, it has two quasi stable state (HIGH and LOW). No external triggering is required in Astable mode, it automatically interchange its two states on a particular interval, hence generates a rectangular waveform. This time duration of HIGH and LOW output has been determined by the external resistors (R1 and R2) and a capacitor(C1). Astable mode works as a oscillator circuit, in which output oscillate at a particular frequency and generate pulses in rectangular wave form.

Step 1: Hardware Required

555 Timer IC

Resistors - 220 Ohm, 1k and 100k

Capacitor - 10µF,0.01µF

LED

Battery - 9v

Breadboard and connecting wires

Step 2: Circuit Diagram

Using 555 timer IC, we can generate precise time duration of HIGH and LOW output, from micro seconds to hours, that’s why 555 is very popular and versatile IC. Before going through below, you should know about 555 timer IC and its PINs, here is the short description about its PINs.

Step 3: Working Explanation

Operation of Astable Multivibrator mode of 555 timer IC:

When initially power is turned ON, Trigger Pin voltage is below Vcc/3, that makes the lower comparator output HIGH and SETS the flip flop and output of the 555 chip is HIGH.

This makes the transistor Q1 OFF, because Qbar, Q’=0 is directly applied to base of transistor. As the transistor is OFF, capacitor C1 starts charging and when it gets charged to a voltage above than Vcc/3, then Lower comparator output becomes LOW (Upper comparator is also at LOW) and Flip flop output remains the same as previous (555 output remains HIGH).

Now when capacitor charging gets to voltage above than 2/3Vcc, then the voltage of non-inverting end (Threshold PIN 6) becomes higher than the inverting end of the comparator. This makes Upper comparator output HIGH and RESETs the Flip flop, output of 555 chip becomes LOW.

As soon as the output of 555 get LOW means Q’=1, then transistor Q1 becomes ON and short the capacitor C1 to the Ground. So the capacitor C1 starts discharging to the ground through the Discharge PIN 7 and resistor R2.

As capacitor voltage get down below the 2/3 Vcc, upper comparator output becomes LOW, now SR Flip flop remains in the previous state as both the comparators are LOW.

While discharging, when capacitor voltage gets down below Vcc/3, this makes the Lower comparator output HIGH (upper comparator remain LOW) and Sets the flip flop again and 555 output becomes HIGH.

Transistor Q1 becomes OFF and again capacitor C1 starts charging.

This charging and discharging of capacitor continues and a rectangular oscillating output wave for is generated. While capacitor is getting charge the output of 555 is HIGH, and while capacitor is getting discharge output will be LOW. So this is called Astable mode because none of the state is stable and 555 automatically interchange its state from HIGH to LOW and LOW to HIGH, so it is called Free running Multivibrator.

Now the OUTPUT HIGH and OUTPUT LOW duration, is determined by the Resistors R1 & R2 and capacitor C1. This can be calculated using below formulas:

You can also use this 555 Timer Astable Calculator to calculate above values.

Here is the practical demonstration of the Astable mode of 555 timer IC, where we have connected a LED to the output of the 555 IC. In this 555 astable multivibrator circuit, LED will switch ON and OFF automatically with a particular duration. ON time, OFF time, Frequency etc can be calculated using above formulas